Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Company C, 760th Tank Battalion, 1st Armored Division "Old Ironsides", U.S. Army

Louis Tazelaar, 36310518, Sergeant, Company C, 760th Tank Battalion, for gallantry in action. On 6 January 1944, the tank commanded by Sergeant Tazelaar was hit and penetrated by enemy fire in an attack on Mt. Porchia, Italy. Two members of the crew were seriously wounded. Sergeant Tazelaar aided wounded members of the crew to dismount from the tank, and though himself wounded in the leg by a shell fragment, he made his way to a first aid station through heavy enemy fire. When unable to get litter bearers to evacuate the wounded men he returned to them, and after dark he again made his way to the aid station and guided and assisted the litter bearers in evacuating the wounded men. Sergeant Tazelaar’s courage under fire and his exemplary behavior is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.